SPY PICS: Land Rover Defender 130 spied

The 2022 Land Rover Defender 130 has been spotted testing on public roads for the first time.

Captured here by our spy photographers in Europe, the three-row version of the Land Rover Defender 110 – the 2020 carsales Car of the Year runner-up – could join the British SUV specialist’s burgeoning 4x4 off-roader line-up next year, taking its place alongside the 110, the just-launched Defender 90 and other derivatives.

Not that Jaguar Land Rover’s local officials are saying much.

“We are keen to assess the viability of any new products for their use in the Australian market, however JLR’s policy is not to comment on future models,” a spokesperson said.

Offering more interior space than the Defender 110, the Land Rover Defender 130 is set to realise a new sales audience for the JLR brand in Australia and abroad.

Initial reports suggest it will employ the same 3022mm wheelbase as the 110 but add another 340mm in overall length – to the order of 5100mm overall.

These spy photos reveal an extended third-row section while staying true to the Defender’s signature boxy proportions. Naturally, a spare tyre still adorns the tailgate section.

The additional boot space is set to leverage the Defender’s audience to include cross-shoppers of the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series and Y62 Nissan Patrol – not to mention the new Jeep Grand Cherokee due in Australia late this year.

The same origins could also make way for a ute version of the Defender, which would give Land Rover a direct rival to the Jeep Gladiator, not to mention a host of other mainstream mid-size hay-haulers.

In addition, Land Rover is preparing versions of the Defender Hard Top for Australia, a tradie-friendly commercial version of the reborn off-roader.

A desert-storming SV performance model is also believed to be in the works.